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Aquaponics ( s.l. ) Production of Spearmint ( Mentha spicata ) with African Catfish ( Clarias gariepinus ) in Northern Germany

Author

Listed:
  • Ulrich Knaus

    (Department of Aquaculture and Sea-Ranching, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Science, University of Rostock, D-18059 Rostock, Germany)

  • Lisa Carolina Wenzel

    (Fischzucht Abtshagen GmbH & Co. KG, D-18510 Wittenhagen OT Abtshagen, Germany)

  • Samuel Appelbaum

    (French Associates Institute for Agriculture and Biotechnology of Drylands, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, Midreshet Ben-Gurion 8499000, Israel)

  • Harry Wilhelm Palm

    (Department of Aquaculture and Sea-Ranching, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Science, University of Rostock, D-18059 Rostock, Germany)

Abstract

Aquaponics production of spearmint ( Mentha spicata ) was evaluated under commercial grow-out conditions of African catfish ( Clarias gariepinus ) in Northern Germany (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania). Fish batch production under different stocking densities in an extensive aquacultural unit (EAU) and an intensive aquacultural unit (IAU) was connected to conventional plant cultivation on ebb-and-flood planting tables and compared to a liquid fertilizer control. The best growth parameters of M. spicata were found under the intensive stocking density of C. gariepinus (IAU), resulting in a plant leaf area of 10.9 ± 2.5 cm 2 , leaf length of 8.6 ± 1.6 cm, and a cut fresh biomass from aboveground of 31.8 ± 13.8 g/plant, compared to the EAU (5.6 ± 2.1 cm 2 ; 5.4 ± 1.4 cm; 17.4 ± 4.7 g/plant) and the control (5.7 ± 2.2 cm 2 ; 5.5 ± 1.4 cm; 11.2 ± 5.3 g/plant). The fresh biomass of the whole plants was not significantly different between the EAU (165.5 ± 71.7 g/plant) and the IAU (190.7 ± 105.6 g/plant), though the latter gained more weight. The initial fish number ratio between the EAU and the IAU of 1/4 increased the M. spicata leaf area by twofold in the IAU. Our results demonstrate that aquaponics ( s.l. ) production of M. spicata is possible under the direct use of effluent waters from intensive African catfish cultivation without the addition of any liquid fertilizer.

Suggested Citation

  • Ulrich Knaus & Lisa Carolina Wenzel & Samuel Appelbaum & Harry Wilhelm Palm, 2020. "Aquaponics ( s.l. ) Production of Spearmint ( Mentha spicata ) with African Catfish ( Clarias gariepinus ) in Northern Germany," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-19, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:20:p:8717-:d:432167
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    Cited by:

    1. Johannes Pasch & Harry W. Palm, 2021. "Economic Analysis and Improvement Opportunities of African Catfish ( Clarias gariepinus ) Aquaculture in Northern Germany," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-23, December.

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